Short turning hitch



July 15, 19 s. E. HILBLOM SHORT TURNING HITCH ZSHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed July 16. 1946 Samuel lflillofib 37M 0. QM

July 15, 1952 s. E. HILBLOM 2,603,502

saoa'r TURNING HITCH 7 Filed July 16, 1946 z smai'rs-srms'r 2 ive/22 07. ,5 (27721.46! Z7 fiZ/om familiar (with the difliculties experienced" with first swath cut.

Patented July 15, 1952 I UNITED STAT ES PAT OFFICE-iv snorvrfrURNmG HITCHQ; f, I

Samuel E; Hilblbm, "Chicago, 1112,1 assignor to In; terna'tional Harvester Gonripany;"acorporation- 'ofiNewJersey", r V l mman Jul v16, 1946, Serial N'o; 683,877

' S' Ql'aimS. (c1. zst-easr ""This iiivention'"relates to a tractor, "drawn fore, to provide a trailirig'mowerwhichfis coupled agricultural implement, and particularlygto' a to atractorlbyjan improved hi'tch fiiearis which t ailingmower adapted" to bedrawri by'a tractor. will permit short turnirig oi the mower-at the e specifica1ly,jit relates to "a hitch means for end-of the field'so that the cutter-ha r of the lihgjhorlirailihgflmower to a tractor. 5 mower will be in' a position to out a} swath 'at Users, ofiitractor-drawnr trailing mowersfl'are approximately a rightangle'with respecttdthe lmproved jtne eratio or. varioushitch and coupling 7 Another object i's' to provide an means that "have 'been designed in the past. hitch means 'for a trailing mowertsaid hitch During the, ,mow ing o fields of vegetation. aset 10' means permitting short 'turhing of the mower pattern ofpperation'is generally followed. This "with respectto the tractor without anysubstanpattern coifisistsofvcutting'a path of vegetation "ti-a'l side skidding of the wheels of the'mower.

approximately thefwidth .of a mower "cutter bar fihotherbbject is to provide a cross-link hit'ch along the edge offtheffiel'd u tiljthe end is for 'a;' -trac tor-drawnj mow 'e'r'gsaid' hitch flbeihg reached. fUp'o'r reaching the,end of the field pivota l'about ailongitudinaland atransversaaxis it .is then desiredtocut a succeedingfpath at with respecttothe drawbar of'aftractor. approximately a jright angle to, theffirst 'path Ahothe-rfobjectis to provide a crossz-linkxhitch The, same cuttinghproc edure is followed at means f orcoupli'ng-a trailing'mowertd attractor, feac'h"corrierju tiljthe field iscQmpljeteIy mowed. said hitch means including asitens'ioni 'release order tolprocu je efficient operation and a means operable to release'th'e frame of the'gm'ower consistent depth of out, it'is desirable that the jf'ro'm operating connection uponthe'cutterbar cornersoi'the fieldarecut as near a right angle, striking anrobstruction. Yr orsguarelm as possible; Thiswill iacilitatethe o Anotheriob'ject'is toprovi'd.a stahilizing means succeediri'gcut and will make it unnecessary for ior'coritrolling the'angulaririovement o'f a'mower theopfirator to run pack angliorthover partially 5 which is' connectedto a tractor by' me'ahsvof: a or irregularlycutx portions. fl-litches' previously pairsso f diagonalcrossmembers.

used have not fuhcltio ed" adequately to bring V 'A sti1l -further object-is to provide a hitch about the square and regular cutting" of the means for coupling atrailin'g mower'toa-tractor, corriers. 'Io bririg'ahoutja square cut'it is-neces isaid hitch means comprising a spring tension sary fo "the mower cutting bar to approach the -3 release member engageable' with'a portion ofthe ,lfi'eld'at'a tight angle, with'respect. to the predraw-bar and releasable therefrom upon the v .I'!' P h- I i 5 118 limited area mow r bar striking anobstruction'.

of mostfields, and the available space'iorma- Other-objects and advantages will becomeimore ri euvering, the tractor, it is necessary'to make an 're'adilyapparent' upon read'ing, the following-Jadeextren ely short 'turn at; the end of the field. scripti'on in conjunctionwith the accompanying the conventional". type hitch, a short turn drawings inwhi'ch: f couldlbe made, butfthe cutter-bar would remain Fie l isa plan view of' atractor drawnmower fat an angular positionand wouldfnot approach indicating-the hitch means. for coupling the theiieldin'a proper manner. .As aresultthe sameto atractor;

fcorr ierjwould be jagged-and the subsequentpath 40' Fig. 2 isasectional view takenalor ig the line tifpe' ftillfi would be equally unever1'. The only v TI- 2 of Fig; lfshowingatension release-'me'a'ns other alternative for theioperator 'wouldl'he to fora tract'or'drawn 'mower tgurn hi's 'tractor to the left and with it make a Fig. 3 is'fa' view in elevationt'aken along the 360 ftu'rr taking'tspecialcare that on his apline 3--3' of Figil showing aportionofa tractor proachxtothe; field the cutter bar would be posidraw-bar and hitch means therefor;

'tione'd at, Lair angle of 90 withfjrespect to the Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic'planview of a -tractor previously out path. This latter procedure is, drawn mower and-its couplingmeans therefor, of course; time-consuming, requires a large field, showing theposition of the" equipment as the jandis uncertain at: best. t i I v I moweris being turnedupon reachihig the ehd "It'is'the primeobject of this invention,thereoi'afield to becut;

Fig. is a diagrammatic plan view similar to Fig. 4 showing the position of the equipment during an intermediate certain stage of turning; and

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view similar to Figs. 4 and 5 showing the position of the equipment in the last stages of a turn made at the end of the field.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, a tractor is generally designated by the reference character I8, and includes a longitudinal body portion II which is carried on a rear axle structure I2 suitably mounted on rear traction wheels I3. As indicated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the forward portion of the longitudinal body II is suitably carried by front ground supports I3. A draw-bar structure I4 is rigidly secured to the axle structure I2 and extends rearwardly therefrom. A power take-off shaft I5 extends rearwardly from the longitudinal body portion I I. A trailing mower generally designated by the reference character I6, is positioned rearwardly of the tractor. The mower I6 includes a mower frame I! suitably mounted on transverse shaft 42 which is pivotal about a transverse axis of the bail member H. A collar 43 is journaled on one end of the shaft 42, said collar having a vertical bearing member 44 connected thereto. The transverse member 34 and its upwardly and inwardly extending portion 31 is 56-. cured for pivotal movement about a vertical axis of the bearing member 44 by means of a pin or bolt 45. The other end of the shaft 42 extends laterally of the bail member 4| and has journaled thereon a collar 46. Both the collars 43 and 46 are held on the shaft 42 by means of cotter pins or other fastening means..

' A tension release member isgenerally' indicated by the reference character 4! and includes a lower jaw 48 rigidly secured to the transverse member 34 by means of bolts 49. A jaw 50 is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the lower jaw 48 by means of a pin 5|. As best indicated in Fig.2, thelower jaw 48 and the upper jaw- 50 securely grip the collar 46 and are resiliently clampedabout the same by means of a pin 52 which is connected to the lower jaw 48 and slidtransverse rear ground wheels I8 and I8". I Suit-.- .1 F

ably connected to and extending from the frame I'I is=a cutter or mower bar I9. A floating support 20 is pivotally'mounted as indicated atZI to the frame I1, and is connected to the cutter bar I9 to permit vertical movement of said-bar. A

. diagonal member 22 further aids to carry the cutter bar I 9 on the frame I'I.

The trailing mower I6 also includes the usual pitman arm 23 which actuates the cutter bar I9.

The pitman arm 23 is actuated by a crank wheel 24 journaled in a housing 25 mounted on the mower frame IT. The crank wheel24 is rotated by means of a belt drive 26 which is'actuated by a telescoping shaft extension 21 suitably connected to 'the power take-ofishaft I5; for universal movement. The type of telescoping shaft extensionshown is conventional in the artand is-well illustrated in applicants Patent 2,314,216 for Control Means for Agricultural Implements, patented March 16, 1943.

A hydraulic cylinder 28 is mounted on the mower frame I1.

The hydraulic cylinder includes a conduit 29, only a portion of which is shown. This conduit is generally in communication with a hydraulic unit mounted on and actuated by'the tractor in the usual manner. A linkage means 38 is in communication with a piston 30 and the mower bar I9 to permit raising of the mower bar as desired.

A hitch or coupling means for connecting the frame I1 to the draw-bar I4 is generally indicated by the reference character 3|. The hitch 3| includes a pair of diagonal cross-members 32 and 33 preferably, of channel section, connected to the mower frame by means of pins 33' for pivotal movement about a pair of spaced transverse axes. A transversely extending member 34 is positioned immediately aft of the draw-bar structure I4. The diagonal cross-members 32 are connected to the transversely extending member 34 by means of bolts 35 and are thus pivotal on said member about a pair ofspaced vertical axes, The transverse member 34 includes, as best shown in Fig. 3, a downwardly and inwardly bent portion 36 and an upwardly and inwardly bent portion 31.

A bracket 38 is rigidly secured to the draw-bar structure I4 by means of bolts 39. A longitudinally extending shaft 40 is journaled for pivotal movement about the longitudinal axis of the bracket 38. A bail member M is rigidly secured to the shaft 40. The bail member 4| includes a ably extends through the upper jaw 50. A spring 53 encircles the pin 52 and bears against the upperjaw member 50. An adjusting nut 52 suitably threaded on the pin 52 is providedfor adjusting the tension of the spring 53. j;

In order to stabilize the frame of the tier during all types of cutting conditions, ,there fis' provided a crank-arm 54 which is pivotallyconnected to a portion of the framev as indicated at 55. A roller 56 is pivotally. connected to the crankarm 54 and is adapted to ride against" the cross member 32. The crank-arm 54 includes anjadjusting screw 5'! adapted tof'e'ngage' aistopjil. A'spring 59 urges the roller 56 in a counterclockwise direction and againstrthe stop 58.

The general operation of the mower is readily apparent to one skilled inthe art and neednot be described. The operation of the hitch or coupling means is of prime importance. andcan'best be seen-from Figs. 4, 5 and 6. The letter A generally indicates a field of-vegetation. .3 indicates a portion of the field or path which has been cut and C indicates the uncut portion of-the field.

- As can be seen from Fig. 4, a portion of. the

. also pivots by field A has been cut and it is now desired to rotate the mower and the cutter bar so thatthe cutter bar will begin, cutting a pathv through a portion of the field as indicated at B and at a right angle with respect to the cut path A. In order to secure the advantages of having the field corner cut squarely, it'is desired to turn the mower and cutter bar in as small a space asQpos- .sible and without excessive manipulation'of the tractor. This is generally necessary because of the limited space of the field upon making the initial cut.. I

In turning, the operator pivots the tractor about the vertical axis of the wheel within the directionof the turn. Comparatively littlelforward movement of this inside} wheel is effected at this point. As the tractor pivots about this vertical axisof the wheel, the mower framelirrturn "oration: it can be seen issuance of thetractor at a point' substantially closeand adjacent to the longitudinal-body of the tractor.

:- Y eqtractor is able toturn-wi-thin a veryshort the novel cross-link arrangeturning fth" negligible side thrust on the-ground L in; order tocomplete the turn, the" tractor moves" forward and the mower thereupon. rotates bout 'the vertical axis of th'egroundwhee'll' I 8. 1";Ihewhee1 I8 is simultaneously rolled forward in a semi-circle and the frame'l-T approaches the uncutfieldin the proper position; From-thisopthat this turning movement of the mower is almost instantaneous, the cutter bar progressively assuming the positions indicated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. As will be noted in Figure 6, forward movement of the tractor will straighten out the cutter bar and the cutter bar is now in position parallel to the field C to be cut, and at a right angle with respect to the previously cut path A.

It should now be apparent that the turning of the mower, and the positioning of the cutter bar in the desired position for producing a square out, has been accomplished within a relatively small area. The desired result, therefore, has been achieved with a minimum amount of effort and within a small space. In view of the novel hitch means and its apparent operation, side skidding of the ground wheels is largely prevented.

Should the cutter bar encounter an obstruction during its travel through the field-the mower can readily be released from operating connection with the tractor. The tension means 4'! is properly adjusted so that the jaws 48 and 58 will part upon a predetermined draft tension upon the transverse member 34. Should the mower bar [9 encounter an obstruction, the jaws l8 and 5!! will become released from the collar 46, and the transverse member thereupon is free to pivot about the pin 45 as best indicated in Fig. 1. Release of the transverse member 34 will permit the frame of the mower to rotate about the vertical axis of the ground wheel I 8, so that the cutter bar is assured against possible damage. The release means is of prime importance to prevent lateral thrust upon the ground wheels and possible skidding thereof when the cutter bar strikes an obstruction. Lateral skidding of the ground wheels would be ineffective to prevent damage to the mower. Thus by use of the release means, the mower is released from operating communication before such lateral skidding can take place. Since fields of different density may be out, and since variable conditions are encountered in the same field, it is desirable to provide a stabilizing means to compensate for the additional thrust on the frame due to dense vegetation. Conditions of this type would tend to angle the frame and cause side skidding of the ground wheels thereby causing irregular cutting.

Thestabilizing crank arm '54 is normally held against the stop 58 by means of the spring 59. The roller 56 is in running engagement with the cross member 32. As the cutter-bar of the mower cuts through the field and encounters particularly dense vegetation, there is a tendency, as a result of this increased thrust, for the mower frame to pivot or side skid. This in turn causes angular movement of the cross member 32, the angle between the cross member 32 and the frame '-l 1' Y itendinglitogrow tsmallen. 1 At. thisr pjoi-nt', the roller 5.6 anda'spring it'll! takeiteffect'to: prevent-continued angular *mOverhnt .offlithe cross. :member 1 '32 'so that the cutter ban and frame. are held :in the-proper buttingpositidnl other'-words, the

st'abili'zingzme'chanism operates. to holdizthe frame and cutter-bar in the. proper.- operating position at all times; Side thrust on the cross: members 32 and 33*, tendi'nglto ''move them,. is :resistedby the resilient action 'o'f thestabilizing means. The amount of resistence exerted by the stabilizer can be adjusted by means of theadjusting screw 51.

It should now beunderstood that anovel hitch means for a trailing mowerhas been provided which fully accomplishes-the objects of the invention. It must be realized that various modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention-as disclosednorasdefined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A hitch structure for holding a tractor and trailer vehicle in substantially longitudinal alignment while transmitting a pulling force from the tractor to the trailer, comprising a hitch frame including diagonal tension members adapted to be pivotally connected to the trailing vehicle at respectively opposite sides for pivotal movement about vertical axes, the tension members extending between the tractor and the trailer in crossed relation, a supporting member extending transversely with respect to said tension members, means pivotally connecting said tension members to said supporting member for pivotal movement about transversely spaced vertical axes, pivotal means adapted toconnect said transverse member to the tractor whereby the transverse member may be pivoted about longitudinal and vertical axes, and means adapted to releasably connect said supporting member and one of said tension members to said tractor, said releasable means being responsive to an inordinate force transmitted through one of said diagonal tension members when the trailing vehicle encounters an obstruction.

2. A hitch structure for connecting a trailing implement to a tractor having a drawbar structure, comprising a pair of diagonal tension members adapted to pivotally connect to the trailing implement at respectively opposite sides for relative pivotal movement about vertical axes, said diagonal tension members extending longitudinally in crossed relation, a supporting member extending transversely with respect to said diagonal members, said diagonal members being pivotally connected to said transverse supporting member for pivotal movement about vertical axes, a first pivotal connection connected to said supporting member, said first pivotal connection being adapted to connect the transverse member to the drawbar of a tractor and providing for pivotal movement of said transverse member about a transverse axis, and a second pivotal connection connected to said transverse member and adapted to connect to the drawbar structure of a tractor to provide for pivotal movement of said transverse member about a longitudinal axis with respect to the drawbar structure of a tractor.

3. A hitch structure for connecting a trailing implement to a tractor having a drawbar structure, comprising a pair of diagonal tension members adapted to be pivotally connected to the trailing implement at transversely spaced opposite sides for pivotal movement about vertical axes, the diagonal tension members extending across one another to respectively opposite sides of the tractor, atransverse supporting member adjacent'the-drawbar structure, means pivotally connecting the diagonal tension members to the transverse supporting member at respectively opposite sides for pivotal movement about vertical axes, and a pivotal means including a bracket connection adapted to connect the transverse supporting member to the drawbar structure for pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis.

I SAMUEL'E. HILBLOM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,077,262 Dove Nov. 4, 1913 Number Name Date Simmons Jan-4, 1916 Caswell Jan. 11, 1921 Wilson et a1 June 13, 1922 Rutten et al Nov. 21, 1922 Johnson May 20, 1930 Hyman May 2,1933 Paul Dec..19, 1933 Rednour Mar. 27,1934 Raney July 24, 1934 Leavitt Dec. 29, 1936 Henderson July 26, 1938 Crumb et a1 July 25, 1939 I vCoultas Aug. 11, 1942 Oehler 1 Feb. 23, 1943 Bingham Sept. 4, 1945 

